Pre-packaged wipe enclosure

ABSTRACT

The present application relates to a pre-packaged wipe enclosure comprising a cavity for holding pre-packaged wipes and an integrated receptable separated from the cavity, a first opening providing access to the cavity, a second opening providing access to the integrated receptacle, a first hinged door to cover the first opening, and a second hinged door to cover the second opening.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.63/154,451 filed on Feb. 26, 2021, and titled “PRE-PACKAGED WIPEENCLOSURE.” U.S. Application No. 63,154,451 is hereby fully incorporatedby reference as if set forth fully herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to pre-packaged wipe products.More particularly, the present invention relates to an add on enclosurefor current and future pre-packaged wipe products.

BACKGROUND

Prepackaged wipe products for a variety of personal care uses are knownin the art. However, such known products come packaged in soft sideddisposable containers that suffer from several known issues. Inparticular, the existing containers are not easily sanitized withoutpotentially damaging unused wipes in the packaging and also lack anintegrated location for containing used wipes when a trash receptacle isnot available.

In view of the above, there is a continuing, ongoing need for improvedsystems and methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric top view of an enclosure in accordance withdisclosed embodiments;

FIG. 2 is an isometric bottom view of an enclosure in accordance withdisclosed embodiments;

FIG. 3. is an isometric view of an enclosure in accordance withdisclosed embodiments;

FIG. 4 is an open view of an enclosure in accordance with disclosedembodiments;

FIG. 5 is an open view of an enclosure shown holding a package of wipesin accordance with disclosed embodiments; and

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an enclosure according to disclosedembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many differentforms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein indetail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention. It is not intended to limit the inventionto the specific illustrated embodiments.

Embodiments disclosed herein can include an enclosure 20 for holding anddispensing pre-packaged wipe products. FIG. 1 is a top perspective viewof the enclosure 20 and FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of theenclosure 20 according to disclosed embodiments. As seen in FIGS. 1 and2 the enclosure 20 can include a top section 22, a bottom section 24coupled to the top section 22, and an integrated receptacle 26. In someembodiments, the integrated receptacle 26 can be used to store used wipeproducts and can include a door 32. The door 32 can maneuver between anopened position to allow access to the receptacle 26 and a closedposition to close off the receptacle 26. In some embodiments the door 32is hinged, and in other embodiments the door 32 may slide or operate inanother manner to provide access to the receptacle 26. As seen in FIG.1, in some embodiments, the top section 22 can include an opening 28 foraccessing new wipes from a package of wipes 50 secured between the topsection 22 and the bottom section 24 (see FIG. 5). In some embodiments,the opening 28 can be sized to accommodate different brands and types ofwipe products in the market. In some embodiments, the enclosure 20 caninclude a second door that is configured to cover the opening 28. Inthese embodiments, the second door can cover the opening 28 to isolatethe wipe products from the exterior of the enclosure. Similar to thedoor 32, the second door can maneuver between an open and closedposition and can be coupled to the top section 22 by a hinge or similarmanner to provide access to the opening 28. In some embodiments thesecond door can include a door 52 that is integrated into the package ofwipes 50 (See FIG. 5). Because the enclosure 20 is separate from thepackage of wipes 50, the enclosure 20 can be cleaned and sanitizedwithout damaging the package of wipes 50. For example, in someembodiments, the enclosure 20 can be cleaned in a dishwasher.

As seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the exteriors of thetop section 22 and the bottom section 24 can include a smooth andtapered profile for easy insertion into pockets and travel bags.Furthermore, in some embodiments, the enclosure 20 can be manufacturedfrom a custom blended polymer for improved performance and customertactile feel.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, in some embodiments, the enclosure 20 caninclude apertures 30. In some embodiments, the apertures 30 can include,for example, pass through holes, gaps, slits, or other openings, etc. Insome embodiments, the apertures 30 can be sized for attachment ofaccessory items, lanyards, carabiner clips, etc. and/or for coupling theenclosure 20 to a purse, backpack, diaper bag, etc.

As seen in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the door 32 selectively coverand seal off a compartment 34 of the integrated receptacle 26 that isused to store used wipes. Other embodiments such as where the door 32can be fully removed from the top section 22 are also contemplated. Itis understood that although an example enclosure 20 is illustrated,other configurations of the enclosure are possible. For example, theintegrated receptacle 26, the compartment 34, and/or the door 32 can becoupled to the bottom section 24 or to a side of the enclosure 20.

As seen in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the door 32 can be configured tobe flush with an outer surface of the top section 22 when the door 32 isclosed. Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 3, in some embodiments the door 32can include a snap closure feature 36 that can engage with a top of thecompartment 34 to securely close the door 32. It should be understoodthat the snap close feature 36 can include other elements for securingthe door 32 including, for example, interlocking pieces or slots,clasps, magnets, latches, locks, etc. In some embodiments, a portion ofthe door 32 can include lift tabs 38 for moving the door 32 into theopen position such as shown in FIG. 3. As seen in FIG. 3, in someembodiments, the lift tabs 38 can extend over finger gaps 39 in the topsection 22 that can enable a user's fingers to contact the underside ofthe lift tabs 38 to open the door 32.

FIG. 4 is an open view of the enclosure 20 according to disclosedembodiments. As seen in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the top section 22can be hingedly coupled to the bottom section 24 in a clamshell designso that the enclosure 20 can be opened to receive the package of wipes50 within an internal cavity 43 (See FIG. 5). Other embodiments such aswhere the top section 22 can be fully removed from the bottom section 24are also contemplated. In some embodiments, the top section 22 and thebottom section 24 can be secured together using snap closures 41.Although example snap closures 41 are illustrated, it should beunderstood that other types of snap closures 41 or elements to securethe top section 22 and bottom section 24 can be utilized for thedisclosed invention. For example, the top section 22 and the bottomsection 24 can be secured together using a clasp or plurality of clasps,a compression latch, a push to close latch, a button, a zipper, a hookand loop, a sliding latch, a draw latch, a magnet, or other type ofmechanism for holding or securing the top section 22 to the bottomsection 24.

In some embodiments, the enclosure 20 can include a lift feature 40coupled to an inside of the bottom section 24. In some embodiments, thelift feature 40 can include a leaf spring configured to bias the packageof wipes 50 placed in the internal cavity 43 toward an inside of the topsection 22. For example, in some embodiments, the lift feature 40 canpress the package of wipes 50 housed inside the cavity 43 into an insideof the top section 22 to secure the package of wipes 50 in place. Thelift feature 40 is configured to secure the package of wipes 50 in anorientation that allows the package of wipes 50 to be accessed throughthe opening 28. While an example lift feature 40 with an arched leafspring is illustrated, it should be understood that other configurationsof a lift feature 40 are also contemplated. For example, a lift featurecomprising a spring or plurality of springs coupled to the bottomsection 24. In other embodiments, the lift feature 40 may include aplastic element or a plurality of plastic elements that are constructedto secure the package of wipes 50 with some tolerance allowed toaccommodate different quantities of wipes or different thicknesses ofwipe packages. In some embodiments, the enclosure 20 can includeadditional or alternative features for securing the package of wipes 50inside the enclosure such as brackets, flexible bands or other means forsecuring the package of wipes 50 within the cavity 23.

As seen in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the compartment 34 can be formedfrom two halves integrated into the top section 22 and the bottomsection 24 respectively. Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 4, in someembodiments, the compartment 34 can be isolated from the cavity 43 viawalls 44 included in an interior region 45 formed between the topsection 22 and the bottom section 24. In some embodiments, thecompartment 34 may be adjacent to the cavity 43 by sharing one or moreof the walls 44 with the cavity 43. The walls 44 can be an integratedpart of only one of either the top section 22 or the bottom section 24.Alternatively, the walls 44 can be an integrated part of both the topsection 22 and the bottom section 24, including where portions of thewalls 44 are integrated into both the top section 22 and the bottomsection 24 such that the walls 44 are formed when the top section 22 iscoupled to the bottom section 24. In some embodiments, the walls 44 maybe removably coupled to the interior region 45 so that the interiorregion 45 can be easily cleaned. In additional embodiments, the interiorregion 45 may include multiple locations to couple to the walls 44 suchthat the size of the compartment 34 can be adjusted. In someembodiments, the walls 44 bisect the interior region 45 formed betweenthe top section 22 and the bottom section 24 so as to form thecompartment 34 on the top section 22 and the bottom section 24.Additional embodiments where the compartment 34 is formed as anintegrated part of only one of either the top section 22 or the bottomsection 24 are also contemplated. For example, in some embodiments thewalls 44 can have a height that is greater than sides of either the topsection 22 or the bottom section 24 so that when the top section 22 andthe bottom section 24 are joined together the walls 44 still bisect theinterior region 45 so as to form the compartment 34 and the cavity 43.

FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of enclosure 20 according to disclosedembodiments. As seen in FIG. 6, the compartment 34 can be located at therear of the enclosure 20 and can be accessed by side doors 54 that arehingedly coupled to the enclosure 54. As seen in FIG. 6, in someembodiments, the enclosure 20 can include a removable insert 56configured to fit within the compartment 34 and configured to hold oneor more used wipes. In operation, the removable insert 56 can be removedfrom the compartment 34 to either store one or more used wipes in thecompartment 34 or to remove one or more used wipes previously stored inthe compartment 34. It should be understood that additional embodimentsfor the enclosure 20 as understood by those of skill in the art are alsocontemplated.

Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, othermodifications are possible. For example, other components may be addedto or removed from the described systems, and other embodiments may bewithin the scope of the invention.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations andmodifications may be affected without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation withrespect to the specific system or method described herein is intended orshould be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover all suchmodifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An enclosure comprising: a top section; a doorconfigured to be flush with the top section when in a closed position; abottom section configured to couple to the top section so as to form acavity in an interior region between the top section and the bottomsection; and a receptacle contained in the interior region andphysically isolated from the cavity.
 2. The enclosure of claim 1,wherein the door is hingedly coupled to the top section to move betweenthe closed position and an open position, wherein the door covers thereceptacle when in the closed position.
 3. The enclosure of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of snap closures that removably couplethe top section with the bottom section, wherein the top section ishingedly coupled to the bottom section.
 4. The enclosure of claim 1,further comprising: a plurality of walls that bisect the interior regionon both the top section and the bottom section to form the cavity andthe receptacle when the top section is coupled to the bottom section. 5.The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a lift feature coupled toan inside of the bottom section, wherein the lift feature is configuredto bias a package of wipes placed within the cavity towards an inside ofthe top section.
 6. The enclosure of claim 5, wherein the lift featureis a leaf spring configured to secure the package of wipes in anorientation within the cavity that aligns the package of wipes with anopening in the top section so as to allow access to the package of wipesthrough the opening in the top section.
 7. An enclosure comprising: atop section; a door that is flush with the top section when in a closedposition; a bottom section configured to couple to the top section toform a cavity in an interior region between the top section and thebottom section when the bottom section is coupled to the top section; areceptacle contained in the interior region and physically isolated fromthe cavity; a plurality of snap closures that couple the top section tothe bottom section; and a first plurality of apertures in the topsection and a second plurality of apertures in the bottom section,wherein the first plurality of apertures in the top section align withthe second plurality of apertures in the bottom section when the topsection is coupled to the bottom section.
 8. The enclosure of claim 7,further comprising a plurality of walls that bisect the interior regionto form the cavity and the receptacle when the top section is coupled tothe bottom section.
 9. The enclosure of claim 7, wherein at least one ofthe plurality of walls isolates the receptacle from the cavity.
 10. Theenclosure of claim 7, wherein the door is hingedly coupled to the topsection and is configured to removably couple to the top section. 11.The enclosure of claim 7, further comprising a lift feature coupled toan inside of the bottom section, wherein the lift feature is configuredto bias a package of wipes placed within the cavity toward an inside ofthe top section.
 12. The enclosure of claim 11, wherein the lift featurecomprises a leaf spring that applies an upward pressure to bias thepackage of wipes towards the inside of the top section.
 13. Theenclosure of claim 11, wherein the lift feature is configured to securethe package of wipes in an orientation within the cavity that aligns thepackage of wipes with an opening in the top section so as to allowaccess to the package of wipes from the opening in the top section. 14.An enclosure comprising: a cavity; a receptacle; a top section includinga first opening and a second opening; a first door hingedly coupled tothe top section and configured to maneuver between a first closedposition and a first open position; a second door hingedly coupled tothe top section and configured to configured to maneuver between asecond closed position and a second open position; and a bottom sectionconfigured to couple to the top section, wherein the first openingprovides access to the cavity when the first door is in the first openedposition, wherein the second opening provides access to the receptaclewhen the second door is in the second opened position.
 15. The enclosureof claim 14, further comprising: a plurality of walls that bisect theinterior region to form the cavity and the receptacle when the topsection is coupled to the bottom section.
 16. The enclosure of claim 14,further comprising a plurality of snap closures that removably couplethe top section to the bottom section, wherein the top section ishingedly coupled to the bottom section.
 17. The enclosure of claim 14,further comprising a first plurality of apertures in the top section anda second plurality of apertures in the bottom section, wherein the firstplurality of apertures in the top section align with the secondplurality of apertures in the bottom section when the top section iscoupled to the bottom section.
 18. The enclosure of claim 17, whereinthe first door and the second door are configured to be flush with thetop section when in the closed position.
 19. The enclosure of claim 14,further comprising a lift feature couple to an inside of the bottomsection, wherein the lift feature is configured to bias a package ofwipes within the cavity towards an inside of the top section.
 20. Theenclosure of claim 19, wherein the lift feature comprises a leaf springthat applies an upward pressure to bias the package of wipes towards aninside of the top section.